Migrating Users in Batches

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

To begin migrating users, first migrate a small number of users as a pilot and test whether they are able to access resources after the migration. Then migrate the remaining users in the source account domain in small batches of up to 100 users per batch. This helps to keep the migration process manageable.

Complete the following steps to migrate user accounts to the target domain:

1. Create test accounts that you can use to verify the success of each batch.

2. Migrate a single batch of users.

3. Translate any local user profiles for user accounts that are included in the batch.

4. Migrate workstations for users that are included in the batch.

5. Remigrate all global groups to update any group membership changes.

6. Notify users in the batch to log on to the target domain.

7. Repeat the steps for the next batch of users, until you have migrated all user accounts.

Until you migrate all user and group accounts, continue to administer global group membership in the Windows NT 4.0 source account domain. To support a rollback strategy, manually synchronize any changes you make to users in the target domain with the existing user accounts in the Windows NT 4.0 source account domain.

Figure 10.8 shows the steps you must complete for each batch of user accounts.

Figure 10.8   Migrating Users in Batches